Immuno-modulatory effects of nanoplastics and humic acids in the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

authors	Brandts, I; Balasch, JC; Goncalves, AP; Martins, MA; Pereira, ML; Tvarijonaviciute, A; Teles, M; Oliveira, M
nationality	International
journal	JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
author keywords	Immune response; Transforming growth factor beta; Stress response; Glucocorticoid receptor 1; Head kidney
keywords	SKIN MUCUS; GENE-EXPRESSION; RAINBOW-TROUT; POLYSTYRENE NANOPLASTICS; INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE; INNATE IMMUNITY; ACUTE STRESS; MARINE FISH; HEAD KIDNEY; TOXICITY
abstract	Pernicious effects of plastic particles, emergent contaminants worldwide, have been described in different species. In teleost species, alterations of immune function after exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) have been reported, but the interaction with cortisol - hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPI) axis has not yet been explored. Furthermore, the role of dissolved organic matter on the effects of NPs is poorly known. Thus, the aims of this research were to assess if polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) acted as a stressor on juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), interfering with the immune response, as well as to elucidate if humic acids (HA) modulated the potential effects of PSNPs. A short-term exposure to PSNPs and HA elicited an immuno-modulatory response, with an activation of steroidogenic stress-related pathways. An upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (il10, tgfb) and stress-related (mc2r, gr1) transcripts were observed after exposure to HA and PSNPs both individually and in co-exposure. No notable alteration of inflammatory markers was consistently found, which may reflect a protective anti-inflammatory effect of HA in the presence of PSNPs. Nevertheless, there seems to be a more complex interaction between both components. Overall, data show that understanding the interaction of NPs with dissolved organic substances is key to deciphering their environmental risks.
publisher	ELSEVIER
issn	0304-3894
isbn	1873-3336
year published	2021
volume	414
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125562
web of science category	10
subject category	Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
unique article identifier	WOS:000653033300008